I had a similar experience when I tried the Nokian WXC300 tires this past winter, I was riding ice covered uphill and downhill trails, passing hikers that could barely stand on the trail surface. Had enough downhill braking grip to make the discs squeal. It was an experience that did make me seek out stretches of ice to ride. I still wore some body armour to take the edge of possible impacts but never had to use it.

The Nokians WXC300's use aluminium/carbide studs, so they weigh in about 680gms, lighter than my Nokian NBX2.3's.

Where did you buy the Nokians, Barry, and how much did they cost?

I actually bought them from Universal Cycles in Portland, Oregon. They were about $100/each.

Yowzer. Not a cheap option, then.

More info here on various studded tyres and the DIY option:

http://www.icebike.org/Equipment/tires.htm

I got my Nokian W296s from bike-components.de. They're supposed to be 2.1 but are more like 1.9 and only any good on ice or hard snow. On soft snow spikes make little or no difference and I get on better with Conti Diesels (a genuine 2.5) run almost flat.

The ones with the side spikes you realise the object is, loads of PSI and run down the middle bit for efficency, then drop the pressure so the side spikes come into play.

Hit alot of Ice Patches in the peaks, sure wish I had some Ice Capable tyres, will consider more next year, out fit my least used bike with them, as a instant ice option.

5miles of sliding around at 2am at -5c on badly iced back roads, those babies woulda made it way quicker, but not as much fun :)

Could've done with these in the ice and snow up Winter Hill today, it was lethal almost all the way up. And just plain scary coming down, with the option being sheet ice or soft snow with baby head rocks hidden underneath, making the bike feel as though it had a life of its own as the unseen rocks deflected the front wheel.

I'm having a final clearout before I move out - anyone interested in buying these tyres (still vgc) before I go the Ebay route?

Why not just buy a pop rivet gun and save a fortune?

Nah, nice and icy on the tops this afternoon, good forecast for tomorrow....they're going back on, I feel a Helvellyn/High Street loop coming on.

Place your bids - last 12 hours!